My first, modest, steps in modeling the heaterbarrel of my RepRap 3D Printer. Starting with a 2D model. Not taking into account real-life stuff such as convection, radiation and other effects (I am probably not even aware of :-)
First tried to get ElmerFEM to compile on Intel Mac to find out it crashed anyway. Then recently I found FreeFEM++ which is perfectly suited for this purpose.
Before I can add some more sensible comments to this post I have to re-read some old math and physics textbooks first. Partial differential equations, thermal diffusivitiy. All this may take some time ;-)
Todays’ update; 3D image (FreeFEM3D icw medit) of the heaterbarrel and NiCr Heater coil model.
Now reading my way through the “Finite Element Method” by Michael R.Gosz, ISBN 0-8493-3407-1. An excellent introduction on FEM.